Verenium Corporation (VRNM) was awarded on Feb 29, 2008, one of the four grants available by the U.S. Department of Energy to "develop improved enzyme systems to convert cellulosic material into sugars suitable for the production of ethanol." Verenium will receive a nice slice of the $33.8 million available. Earlier in the year, Pacific Ethanol received a similar grant of up to $24.3 million to build a small-scale demonstration plant that will make ethanol out of wood chips.